A Hungarian gypsy living on Smithy Fen travellers' site fears he will be caught up in a mass eviction action by a council - because he’s not a traveller.

Legal notices have been served on 22 plots at Smithy Fen in Cottenham after a South Cambridgeshire District Council investigation gathered evidence to show extra caravans had been brought on to the site and lived in illegally.

The breach of planning condition notices served yesterday (Monday 3 July) gave the owners 28 days to remove the unauthorised additional caravans and static homes.

During the investigation the council found some non-travellers living at the site – another breach of the planning conditions that clearly state that only gypsies and travellers can live in the homes with appropriate planning permission.

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But one tenant of caravans on the site is set for eviction - despite being a gypsy.

Imre Vadaszi, 28, who works at Pizza Express in Cambridge, told the News: “I might have to leave but I want to stay. I like it here. It’s cheap.

“I used to live in Peterborough but moved to here to work in Cambridge but it is a very expensive city. I’m not a traveller but I am a Hungarian gypsy. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me and my girlfriend who lives with me.

“I am meeting with the council on Friday and they have given me someone to represent me who said they might help with getting other accommodation so I have got to wait and see what happens.”

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One man, who did not give his name, said: “There is a bad mix of travellers here now. A lot of them just leave the caravans empty and don’t use the plot properly. We are willing to clear the plots up and make them better.”

The council insisted it is doing everything possible to help vulnerable people on the site who face losing their homes but have to enforce planning laws.

The breach of planning condition notices served cannot be appealed and failure to comply will mean they can be prosecuted - and the council told the News it will take “swift and appropriate action”.

The council says it has established the housing needs of the people living on site who could become homeless and appropriate support will be given to vulnerable people.

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There are 49 legal pitches at Smithy Fen and in general each one will be made up of a static caravan, a touring caravan and a brick built day room.

Cllr Nick Wright, deputy leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Our thorough and detailed investigation at Smithy Fen has made sure we have been able to take this swift and appropriate action. We are clear that the 22 pitches we have served notices on are in breach and they have 28 days to comply.

“If this does not happen we will take further legal action.

“We find it as frustrating as local residents when there is a breach of planning in any community. However, these investigations, and legal action, are often complex and it simply isn’t possible to resolve it overnight. We must follow the correct legal process to make sure we get the right result in the end.

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“In this case we want all caravans that should not be there removed and have served them with legal notice. The approach we are talking here is the same as we would if planning was breached by the settled community.

“It is absolutely right that we assess the housing needs of the people who could be impacted by the legal action to make sure anyone who is vulnerable or have young children are given the support they need. This work will also demonstrate to a court in the future that we have taken all the necessary steps if some people choose not to comply.

“It is too early to say what action we will take next, but I can reassure people that we will continue to act as quickly as the legal system will allow. The illegal caravans must be removed.”